The Taraba state Ministry of Budget and Planning has organised a two-day training for fiscal transparency and accountability for local government council administrators in the state.

Solomon Elisha, Commissioner for Budget and Planning ministry on Thursday in Jalingo said that the training became necessary to enable fiscal sustainability of funds allocated to various local councils in the state.

Elisha recalled that the ministry had recently adjusted its budget to reflect the current financial realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He announced that the training was a demonstration of the capacity of the state government for the implementation of the newly domesticated accountability and transparency partnership in governance which he said is a global trend in Fiscal administration as well as Federal Government fiscal transparency and accountability policy.

He expressed optimism that the training would provide skills required for the domestication and implementation of fiscal Prudence and management in all local government areas.

Gov. Ishaku, while declaring the training open, urged chairmen of local government councils in the state to improve revenue generation towards payment of their staff salaries.

The governor commended the Ministry for Budget and Planning in Collaboration with OXFAM, an international-based development partner for organizing the two-day training, for local government chairmen and Heads of Administration of local government areas in the state.

The governor, represented by his deputy Haruna Manu, said that financial transparency would enhance efficiency in local government administration.

He regretted the dwindling fortunes of the state’ revenue generation base.

He said that 90 percent of revenue in the state was being sourced from the monthly Federal allocation.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the revenue drive of the state, and “it is crucial for us to manage the little available resources at our disposal”

He, however, noted that the over-dependency on the Federation account was not healthy to economic fortunes of both the state and local government areas.

Ishaku urged participants to take the training with utmost seriousness to enable the state to achieve its desired goals.

Earlier, Babangida Joseph, Coordinator, PROSSEL Project Managers, a subsidiary of OXFAM, a European Union based international development partner said that the organisation would be quiet participants with skills that would ensure transparency and social governance.

Joseph commended the Taraba government for keying into a global mechanism for transparency and accountability.

Abdulnasir Boboji, Charman Jalingo local government area said that the training was timely considering the present financial inadequacy occasioned by the COVID-19 which is a global scourge.

Boboji, who represented ALGON at the training commended the ministry for Budget and Planning for the training saying that the training would go a long way in equipping local government administrators with required skills in the management and Planning of local government councils.